The series is broadcast on the cable television channel FX in the United States. It premiered on February 2, 2016.[3][4][5] A third season, based on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, was in development but production was scrapped.[6]

In January 2017, it was announced that a fourth season was in development. It was supposed to cover the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal and the ensuing events during Clinton's presidency, based on Jeffrey Toobin's book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President.[15][16] In February 2017, Ryan Murphy revealed that Sarah Paulson was supposed to be in the season, but not as Hillary Clinton.[17] However, in April 2018, Murphy revealed that the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal-based season was scrapped and no longer in development.[18] In early February 2019 John Landgraf acknowledged that the Katrina storyline was also cancelled and won't be the subject of any season of the series either.[19]

Initial reports announced that Lady Gaga would portray Donatella Versace in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, but Murphy confirmed that they were false.[58][59]Penélope Cruz was later cast in the role.[60] In April 2017, it was announced that Ricky Martin had joined the cast of The Assassination of Gianni Versace as Antonio D'Amico, Versace’s longtime partner.[61] On April 28, 2017, Annaleigh Ashford was seen filming on the set of The Assassination of Gianni Versace with Criss.[62] On June 21, 2017, it was announced that Ashford's role in the series would be as Elizabeth Cote, a friend of Cunanan's since high school.[63] On May 5, 2017, Murphy posted a photo on Instagram of Criss and Max Greenfield on the set of the season. On June 21, 2017, it was announced that Finn Wittrock would play Jeffrey Trail, Cunanan's first victim.

In October 2015, FX released its first promotional trailer for The People v. O. J. Simpson, showing an Akita dog whining, walking from its residence onto a sidewalk to bark, then walking back to its residence, leaving behind bloody paw prints.[65] Later that month another teaser was released, wherein the first actual footage of Travolta as Shapiro was shown. In the teaser, Shapiro is about to ask Simpson (whose face is unseen) if he is responsible for the murder of Simpson's ex-wife. In the next short teaser that was released, Simpson (again unseen) is taking a lie detector test.

In November, two new teasers were released. The first shows Simpson writing his attempted suicide letter, while a voice-over by Gooding, Jr. narrates. The second shows the police chasing Simpson's white Ford Bronco, while dozens of fans cheer for him.[66]

The first full trailer was released in December, along with a poster for the season. The trailer included Simpson sitting in the childhood bedroom of Kim Kardashian and contemplating suicide while Robert Kardashian tries to stop him.[67]

In September 2017, FX released the first promotional teaser for The Assassination of Gianni Versace, showing doves sitting outside Versace's former mansion and flying away when two gunshots ring out.[68] A second teaser was released that same month, depicting Versace's sister Donatella placing flowers on a casket.[69]

The series first premiered worldwide in Canada on FX on February 2, 2016.[70] In the Philippines, the series premiered on February 3, 2016 on CT.[71] In India, the series premiered on STAR World Premiere HD on February 8, 2016. The first series premiered in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016.[72] The second series began on February 28, 2018 on BBC Two. In Israel, the series premiered on February 22, 2016. In Australia, the series' first season was promoted as a "miniseries" under the title The People vs OJ Simpson and premiered on Network Ten on March 6, 2016 before concluding on May 8, 2016.[73] The series currently airs at 10:15pm on Thursdays on RTÉ One in Ireland.[74]

The first season was made available on Netflix in all countries except Canada and German speaking Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) in February 2017. All future seasons will be made available on Netflix following their respective broadcast windows.[75]

The first season of American Crime Story has received critical acclaim. The review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes gave the season an approval rating of 97%, based on 74 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story brings top-shelf writing, directing, and acting to bear on a still-topical story while shedding further light on the facts – and provoking passionate responses along the way."[76] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 90 out of 100, based on 45 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[77]

The second season of American Crime Story received near critical acclaim. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the season an approval rating of 89%, based on 61 reviews, with an average rating of 7.09/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Assassination of Versace starts with a bang and unfurls slowly, moving backward through an intricate (and occasionally convoluted) murder mystery anchored by a career-defining performance from Darren Criss."[78] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 74 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[79]

This section needs to be updated. In particular: The article for the first season displays more accolades than this section. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2018)